Pakistan has extradited to Norway a prominent Islamist suspected of masterminding the Oslo shootings on the eve of the 2022 Pride Festival, Norwegian authorities said on Friday.
On the night of June 25, 2022, hours before the Pride Parade was to be held, a man opened fire outside two bars, including a well-known gay club, in central Oslo, killing two men and injuring nine others.
The suspect in the shooting, Zaniar Matapour, is a 44-year-old Iranian-Norwegian who is currently on trial for “acts of terrorism.”
Matapour maintains his innocence, but psychiatric experts are at odds over his mental state and, therefore, his legal liability.
Alfan Baty, a 46-year-old Norwegian resident and prominent Islamist, is suspected of planning the attack, but he left Norway for Pakistan before the shooting.
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Pakistani authorities agreed to grant Oslo’s request, even though Norway and Pakistan have no agreement on extradition.
Norway’s Justice Minister Emily Enger Meer told reporters on Friday that “Mr. Arfan Batty is currently on a plane being escorted by Norwegian police.”
Norwegian police said Baty denies any involvement, is fighting extradition and will be detained upon arrival in Oslo.
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The suspect is suspected of being an “accomplice to an act of aggravated terrorism” and faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.
Police said Bhatti will be called to testify during Matapour’s trial.
Bhatti’s lawyer was furious that his client was extradited before Pakistan’s Supreme Court ruled on his case.
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“This approach calls into question the law and respect for international legal principles,” said John Christian Elden.
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